Wrenches and Vises
Combination, flare nut, ratcheting and specialty wrenches, plus bench vises.
When should I use a flare nut wrench?
Short answer: Use a flare nut or line wrench on brake, fuel and A/C line fittings, because it grips more sides of the nut than an open-end wrench and reduces the chance of rounding soft fittings.
Line fittings are often soft and can be corroded. An open-end wrench grips only two flats and can spread and round the nut. A flare nut wrench wraps around more of the nut while leaving an opening for the line.
Use a backup wrench on the fitting to avoid twisting the line. Penetrating oil can help with corroded fittings.
Brake fluid, fuel and refrigerant require special handling. Relieve fuel pressure, recover refrigerant with certified equipment, wear safety glasses and gloves, and clean spills promptly. Bleed brakes after opening lines.
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Are ratcheting wrenches worth having?
Short answer: Ratcheting wrenches speed up work in tight spaces where a socket and ratchet do not fit, saving time on repetitive fasteners; they complement rather than replace sockets.
Ratcheting box wrenches allow continuous turning without removing the wrench from the fastener. In tight spaces with limited swing, they save time. Flex-head and stubby versions reach awkward places, and reversible designs save flipping the wrench over on every fastener.
They are not designed for breaking loose very tight fasteners; use a standard wrench or breaker bar first, then switch to the ratcheting wrench.
Buy quality wrenches with a fine tooth count for small swing arcs. Wear safety glasses and avoid using cheater bars on wrenches.
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How do I use a breaker bar safely?
Short answer: Use a breaker bar with impact or quality sockets that fit snugly, position yourself to pull rather than push, keep good footing, and avoid cheater pipes that exceed the tool's design.
Breaker bars give extra leverage for tight fasteners. Longer bars give more leverage but can overload sockets and fasteners.
Make sure the socket is fully seated and square. Pull toward you with steady force rather than jerking. Keep your body positioned so you do not fall if the fastener breaks free.
Avoid cheater pipes and do not use torque wrenches or ratchets as breaker bars. Wear safety glasses and gloves, and support the vehicle safely on a lift or rated jack stands.
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How do I choose a bench vise for a shop?
Short answer: Choose jaw width and weight to suit the parts you hold, a swivel base for flexibility, replaceable jaws, and solid mounting to a sturdy bench.
A vise holds parts for cutting, drilling, pressing and assembly. Wider jaws hold larger parts. Heavier vises absorb hammering better. A swivel base lets you rotate the work.
Replaceable jaws and soft jaw covers protect finished parts. Pipe jaws hold round stock. Mount the vise securely to a bench that can handle the forces.
Do not use the vise as an anvil unless the maker allows it, and avoid using cheater bars on the handle. Wear safety glasses and keep fingers clear of the jaws.
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Do I need full combination wrench sets in both metric and SAE?
Short answer: Most modern vehicles use mainly metric fasteners, but many trucks, older vehicles and aftermarket parts still use SAE sizes, so most shops keep complete sets of both.
Combination wrenches, with an open end and a box end, are basic tools for any technician. Metric sizes cover most modern vehicles, while SAE sizes still appear on many trucks, older vehicles, trailers and aftermarket parts.
Start with a complete metric set, then add SAE sizes for the vehicles you see. Full sets avoid using the wrong size, which rounds fasteners and causes injuries.
Use the box end where possible for better grip. Pull toward yourself rather than pushing, keep your knuckles clear, wear safety glasses and gloves, and never use a cheater pipe on a wrench, as it can break the tool or the fastener.
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Which oil filter wrench should I use?
Short answer: Use a cap-style wrench that matches the filter's end flutes for most cartridge filters in tight spaces, and an adjustable three-leg or strap wrench for larger heavy-duty filters.
Oil filters come in many sizes. Cap-style wrenches fit the flutes on the end of a filter and work with a ratchet, which is helpful in tight spaces. Sets cover many sizes.
Adjustable three-leg wrenches grip a range of filter sizes and suit larger heavy-duty filters.
Let a hot engine cool enough to handle safely, wear gloves and safety glasses, and keep a drain pan below the filter. Install new filters to the maker's instructions, usually hand tight after the gasket contacts, and never overtighten.
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What are jumbo combination wrenches used for?
Short answer: Jumbo wrenches cover large fastener sizes found on trucks, equipment, axles and steering parts, where standard wrench sets stop short.
Standard combination wrench sets usually stop at sizes that are too small for large nuts on trucks, equipment, axle hubs and steering components. Jumbo wrenches extend the range to these larger sizes.
They are longer and heavier, which gives more leverage, but they also need more room to swing. A socket and breaker bar can be an alternative when there is access from the end of the fastener.
Use the box end for the best grip on tight fasteners. Wear safety glasses and gloves, set your feet firmly before pulling, and never strike a wrench that is not designed for striking, since it can crack or slip.
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General guidance only. Follow the vehicle and tool manufacturer's procedures, and confirm vehicle coverage on the tool maker's list before buying.